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Your Guide To The Denver Writing Scene

Content writers are doing it right in Denver!

Denver’s population has exploded in recent years, bringing with it an incredible assortment of creatives from all over the country who offer exceptional talents and expertise. Where content writing is concerned, the Mile High City is really making its mark on the world.

Making a Living as a Denver Writer

According to Glassdoor, the average Denver-area content writer makes around $50,000 a year. Copywriters earn an average of $56,113 annually, while content marketing managers’ salaries range from $53,000 to $104,000 annually—averaging just over $74,000 per year.

As startups have begun to move from California to Colorado, companies of all sizes are calling Denver home, bringing with them fresh perspectives on business and an ideal recognition for high-quality content.

Content creation and copywriting certainly aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, as Google’s algorithms become more sophisticated, writers with these skills are going to see an increasing demand for their services. Writers’ job growth is expected to increase as much as 8% in the ten-year timeframe from 2016 to 2026, which is greater than the average expected growth rate across all occupations.

There are also a ton of part- and full-time writing opportunities all over town. Of course, it’s no secret that smart companies are looking for ways to cash in on the benefits to be obtained from the gig economy, hiring freelancers and independent contractors to fulfill their content needs while filling their skills gaps.

As a writer in the Denver area, you have the world at your fingertips. Online job markets like Glassdoor and Indeed will provide you with a plethora of options, but if you really want to be in-the-know with some of the best startups in Denver, make sure you keep an eye on Built in Colorado. There’s an entire world of opportunities waiting for you just to the right of the Rockies!

Educational Opportunities for Writers to Advance in Denver

Denver’s big on setting freelancers up for success with educational opportunities that work best for them. If you’re looking for a traditional campus setting, Metro State, CU Denver, and DU are all in or around downtown, but if you want to think outside the box, you have plenty of options for non-traditional learning, as well.

Colorado Free University offers adult education classes, workshops, and seminars for all sorts of interests and skill level. Whether you’re just beginning your writing journey— or you’re ready to hone a craft you’ve been working on for decades— you’ll surely find some courses that suit your style. Keep an eye on the website because they offer an assortment of classes that change regularly.

Galvanize is another awesome option for people who want to enhance their skills. This organization offers a bounty of digital marketing courses and other tech-related opportunities to help you keep up with today’s ever-changing world. The location on Platte is where most of the classes occur.

Writing Meet Up Groups inDenver

Colorado Writers’ Cafe, ongoing. Explore various cafes and other venues all along the Front Range and beyond. This group is a culmination of many groups, so you’ll find something going on almost every day of the week.

Lighthouse Writers Workshop, ongoing. With a bevy of classes and workshops happening all the time, this community of writers was created as a way to support and inspire anyone who wants to dive into their craft on another level

Mercury Cafe, ongoing. From poetry slams to “Bring Your Own Stories” evenings, Mercury Cafe is a place where you’ll find other folks who imbibe on the written and spoken word.

Denver Conferences for Writers to Consider in 2019

Northern Colorado Writers Conference, May 3-4 at Fort Collins Marriott. This year’s theme is “The Muse Cruise: Let Your Writing Set Sail!” Head up I-25 to the beautiful town of Fort Collins where awesome keynote speakers and outstanding views of the mountains will come together to bring you all sorts of sessions that’ll allow you to tour the ways you work with words.

Pikes Peak Writers Conference, May 3-5, 2019 at Colorado Springs Marriott. Intended to provide a welcoming, friendly atmosphere that offers topics of interest to all sorts of writers, this annual conference draws creatives down to Colorado Springs each year when the weather starts getting warm.

Writing conferences offer a great excuse to get out and see the great state of Colorado!

Workshops, Classes, and More for Writers in Denver

Mark your calendars. These upcoming events are great networking and continuing education opportunities for both independent writers and companies looking to hire Denver writers:

The Writing Center, check website for updates.The University of Colorado offers ongoing workshops to help you tailor your writing. From academic paper-polishing to creating awesome PowerPoint presentations and watching out for common grammar goofs, something’s always going on at CU.

Lighthouse Writers Workshop, check website for updates. As noted above, the Lighthouse Writers Workshop hosts tons of events for talented people, including workshops tailored for a variety of ages and interests.

The Best Places for Writers to Write in Denver

Denverites live locally, which means any coffee shop or venue that’s got enough electrical outlets to support a creative crew will win the hearts of its Rocky Mountain region audience.

Anecdote Cafe. Recently re-opened at its brand new 8th and Sherman location in Capitol Hill, this space was literally created for creatives. Do you work better at a private booth, a community table, or in front of a bar? Anecdote has every seating solution you need for optimal inspiration. There’s also delicious coffee and a full bar that’s presented in a speakeasy sort of style.

Gather. As the public, non-pay portion of Galvanize, Gather is a great place to grab a bite and get your creative juices flowing. No need to be a member to enjoy the benefits of this great space.

Mutiny Information Cafe. Blink and you’ll miss it! Mutiny’s been one of Denver’s favorite hidden gems since long before the population boom, but it’s also one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

Denver Central Market. If you work best amdist the bustling chaos of RiNo, Denver Central Market is the perfect place for people-watching while you write words. Be advised, however, that outlets are scarce, so you’ll want to make sure you’re fully charged before you head into this renovated 1928 retail space.

Union Station. Weirdness abounds with the whimsy of this 100-year-old historic landmark! If you can’t concentrate with conversations around you, try drowning it out with some music in your earbuds because the experience of writing there is worth the occasional distraction.

Of course, there are quieter places, too. The Denver Public Library is always a great place to let your mind settle into the work of the day, and the Tattered Cover is renowned as a place where imaginations come to life.

Community Groups for Writers in Denver

You may also want to check out some of these formal community groups:

Creative Connections. This group dubs itself “The Largest Creative Group in the Region”. There’s no mandatory attendance. Just show up when the mood suits you.

Colorado Authors’ League. “Fostering the art and craft of writing since 1931”, this group will give you insights and information to help bolster your abilities.

Book Organizations of Colorado. With 30 nonprofit member groups, this organization supports every aspect of the art of words, from literacy advocacy to publishing and promoting.

Local Companies Hiring Denver Writers

Businesses need outstanding content more than they ever have before, and they recognize that it can’t happen without great Denver creatives at the helm of their efforts. Writers, journalists, editors, and copywriters are able to monetize their skills and turn their talents into full-time and freelance gigs thanks to today’s technologies.

Digital Marketing Agencies

Denver’s digital marketing agencies are welcoming content curators with open arms. Here are a few spots where your wordy talents might pay off:

Content Platforms

WriterAccess. That’s us! Our Boston-based content marketing platform is among the best in the business, providing writing services to more than 25,000 customers by way of 15,000 freelance writers, editors, content strategists, and translators. We’re always on the hunt for freelance professionals who have the skills and expertise to keep our clients’ companies growing organically—the content marketing way. We plan to expand into five countries in the next few months, so APPLY NOW!

Constant Content. This platform’s a little different from most, enabling you to write on-spec articles you want to write about.

nDash. This is a content marketplace that brings freelancers together with the businesses that need them most.

Join the Ranks of Some of the Best Writers in the World!

Jack Kerouac loved Denver. So did dozens of authors who have stayed in the apartments on Poets’ Row or penned their thoughts of passersby on Writer Square solely because it felt like the right thing to do, given the name of the block.

Kristin B is interested in anything that teaches her something new or gives her a different perspective on something she already knew. She’s a self-proclaimed Learn Nerd, which means the world is her educational oyster, and she’s always seeking opportunities to learn from life’s experiences and her clients’ assignments.

Small army of writers. Big platform in the cloud.

WriterAccess is the fastest-growing content sourcing platform that makes it easy to find writers, place orders and manage the workflow, all powered by advanced tools that become your GPS for content marketing. Sign up for a risk-free offer here.